PM BACKS HER TORIES

Labour’s Dennis Skinner said letting them stand again while under investigation for alleged breaches in spending limits in the 2015 election rendered the vote “squalid”. But Mrs May said: “I stand by all the Conservative MPs.” The CPS said the timing of the election would not affect legal proceedings.

Mr Corbyn said: “This election is about the future of all of us — the future of our children, the future of social justice, the future of our jobs.

“Are we going to be a country that gives riches and makes riches for all of us? Or are we going to be a country that works only to make the richest even richer?”

GINA FUND FOR PRO-EU

PRO-EU campaigner Gina Miller will spearhead a fundraising drive for anti-Brexit candidates at the election.

The millionaire financier, who won a court fight to secure a Commons vote for our EU divorce, also plans a tour of marginal seats. Mrs Miller said Theresa May did not have a mandate to “destroy our relationship with Europe”. Last night her appeal had raised £60,000.

He said: “Jeremy Corbyn’s right-hand man has shown us the serious choice at this election, between strong and stable leadership from Theresa May and the Conservatives or a coalition of chaos led by Jeremy Corbyn.

“The weak and unstable leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, propped up by the Lib Dems and the Scottish Nationalists, would wreck the economy and weaken our hand in the Brexit negotiations.

“Only the Conservatives have a plan for a Stronger Britain which will build a stronger economy that rewards people who work hard and creates secure and well-paid jobs.”

A TORY MP who has been battling cancer says he will stand in the election. Grantham and Stamford member Nick Boles, 51, said recent scans showed his cancer had been eradicated.

BREXIT CLAIM IS RUDDY SILLY

THERESA May slapped down her own Home Secretary to insist her snap general election is not about giving more ground to the EU for a good Brexit deal.

Sparking alarm among hardline Brexiteers, Amber Rudd said a significantly increased Tory majority would give the PM “the opportunity to arrive at potential compromises within the EU”. But quizzed by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on whether she called the election to win wriggle room, Mrs May insisted: “No. This negotiation is going to be about getting the best possible deal for the UK.” Brexit campaigner Iain Duncan Smith added: “The PM has made her position clear on Europe. “These are silly games being played by people.” Business bosses said they hoped an early election will give the PM more power to deliver a “soft landing” for Brexit.